Carpenter/woodworking tools

[jvrjenivs]

I'm still looking around for a picture of a Roman measuring stick. I think I'll just make one, probably a brass strip tacked to a hard wood, and call it right, unless I can find one soon.

There are rulers shown on some carter/mason stele, such as on the tomb of the freedman of the gens Aebutia (Capitoline museum) or a carter stele. (#58, room LII, Museo della Civilta Romana). Both are in the 'Roman building' by Jean-pierre Adam (page 41). If you want I can make a scan of that page for you.

Another good tool to add is a plumb line with a lead bob on the end. Handy, simple, and doesn't take much space. Also, a special cord marked with the famous 3, 4, 5 measurements to mark out a large right triangle. The Egyptians and Greeks used this, so it's reasonable to believe the Romans did, too.

Indeed a plumb line is also good to have and easy to add and the 3, 4, 5 triangle is great in its simpleness, and so should at least be in every agrimensor talk, but for (smaller) woodworking jobs, I think a bronze shouldering square would do a better job.